KUALA LUMPUR: One case of death due to heat stroke has been reported so far involving a 22-year-old man, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic).

The Deputy Prime Minister, who is also Rural and Regional Development Minister, said the death occurred in Maran, Pahang, on Feb 2.

"We are grateful that we are not yet in the third level, which is extreme heat waves, but this can happen at any time if we see that climate change and also the depletion of the ozone layer has led our country not to be spared from extreme hot weather.

"Hopefully, we will be able to deal with it including cloud seeding carried out by the National Disaster Management Agency and the Malaysian Armed Forces in some specific areas," he said when wrapping up the debate on the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address at Dewan Rakyat Monday (March 25).

Responding to Senator Datuk Mohd Hisamudin Yahaya's interjection regarding the cost of cloud seeding, Ahmad Zahid said each operation costs less than RM100,000 and it requires the presence of clouds and suitable wind. - Bernama